The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-12
THE SUFFERING IN IRELAND.
Father O'Donaghue's Observations During
His Recent Visit to the Emerald Isle.

Rev. Denis O'Donaehue, of st. Patrick's
Catholic Church, hasjust returned from quick
business journey to Ireland. His face is highly
colored, and the skin is peeling off around the
edges. Still, it's good healthy color and the
priest is rather proud of it. THAT is from the
sea breeze in the Gulf stream" the father ex-
planned ''Was / seasickf Yes sick
nearly all the way going over and coming
back"
Inquiry was made as to his observations
among Irish farmers and farm laborers while
abroad.
'Ihe condition of Ireland" he said in reply,
sis en- tirely unfavorable. and for reasons, per-
haps, not understood except by a person making
actual inspection the spot. Ireland is
necessarily agricultural country; manufact-
ur1ng does not practically exist, and cannot
ist, having no announcement. The produce of
America, with our facilities for shipment, has
simply ruined Ireland's market, and made agri-
cultural pursuits altogether Improbable. With
agriculture practically gone, ground rate poor
rate and common taxation keep up to figures
that prevailed when prices were high and farming
was profitable The cultivation of wheatin Ireland
is practically done away with In the first place
it is not as productive a crop as it once was, and
another is that it can be brought from
America, ground and sold cheaper than -four
can be produced from wheat of native growth.
The people turned to the raising of cattle and
now shipment of American beef has reduced
the cattle market that cattle raising in Ireland
has ceased to afford profit Irish mutton used
to be celebrated and brought high price Now
the Australian supply has ruined that market.
so that 1t is no longer profitable to raise sheep in
Ireland.
taxes are the key to the Irish farmers distress.
What would Indianapolis taxpayers think of
paying, as Irish farmers do. four shillngs in the
pound-96 cents in 81 Soon assessed valuation
of effects-stock, chattels, goods. etc.-for the
rates, county rate and poor rate, will average
four shillngs in the pound and in exceptional
Zee l1frr1 IL he
cent. of a mans assessed valuation. This is in
dependent of ground rent that the Irish
farmer pays to the lord of the soil. The land
lords themselves are suffering. In prosperous
times they lived up to their incomes and have
continued their extravaganza, garnbling horse
racing high living and profigacy of all kinds.
more and more, many of them have become hope
lessly bankrupt. tThe great estates Of the Earl
Kenmare and e. A Herbert comprising the
lands about the famous lakes of Killarney, in
County Kerry, are bankrupt
Tho laborers who depend upon the farmers
for work are able to live in prosperous times,
tended to go 30 the seat Of the Bodyke trouble,
but did not get opportunity to do So It is
very poor region. O'Callahan. the landlord, was
a colonel in the British army. O'Callahans
agent insisted collecting the full rent of the
tenants. They offered all they could pay and
that oiser was refused by the agent, who would
accept nothing but the full rent, nothing was
paid OConnell has evicted his tenants and
now has neither tenants rents-in fact he is
bankrupt He resigned his colonelcy as his
regiment Irish, and he feared a
mutny In London there is a sort Of landlords
protective league to enable poor landlords to
to fight their tenants and TO furnish then money
when they need it. And there many Of them
needing it. / spoke of Lord Kenmare's bank
ruptcy. At one time he had an Income of $751;
900 year. Even then he Eysd beyond his
means.
~ was so fortunate to be in Dublin when
Editor OBren was received there after his re-
turn from Canada. It was the most enthusiast
tic affair ever dorbt if there was ever
anything like il here in the way Of . popular
demonstrEt ton to honor asman. / saw Blaine's
reception in 1884 In this city, but that insie-
nfcant compared with the demonstration called
out by Editor OBrien. C'Connsll street. Dub
ln (the name has recently been changed from
Sackvillo street) 10 wider than Washington
street. From Kings Bridge to the Imperial Ho-
tel, on O'Connell street. where Mr.. O'Brien was
to deliver his address, is two miles, and that
two miles of broad street was one solid mass Of
humanity. 1t was yell upon yell until every
body had yelled himself hoarse before Mr..
O'Brien came to the statue, when they gathered
themselves for a final effort and gave great
roar. That scene was certainly one to be
membered"